The Music Composition B.A. major at UNH enables students to develop their composing skills while pursuing a broad liberal arts education. The program covers music theory, analysis, history, world music, and technical skills like ear training and piano. Students work with renowned composition faculty and guest composers, participate in the Undergraduate Research Conference, and perform in various ensembles. The department also offers opportunities to engage with guest artists and study abroad through an exchange program with Cardiff University in the U.K.
What is music composition?
If you want to develop your skills as a composer while also pursuing a broad liberal arts education, the Bachelor of Arts in music with an option in composition is the degree you should pursue. You’ll study music theory and analysis, the history and literature of music, and world music and technical skills such as ear training and piano as you grow as a composer and performer.
Why study music composition at UNH?
As a music student at UNH, you’ll study composition with nationally and internationally known composition faculty and learn from guest composers. You’ll be able to participate in the university’s dynamic Undergraduate Research Conference, which highlights performances of student composers’ works each spring. Our ensembles include touring chamber and choral groups, as well as orchestras and bands that inspire from the stage to the football field. Our department also hosts dynamic guest artists and lecturers throughout the year and offers a study abroad exchange program with Cardiff University in the U.K.
Potential Careers
- Composer
- Music arranger and orchestrator
- Music industry executive
- Music professor
- Performer
- Songwriter
Curriculum & Requirements
If you want to develop your skills as a composer while also pursuing a broad liberal arts education, the Bachelor of Arts in music with an option in composition is the degree you should pursue. You’ll study music theory and analysis, the history and literature of music, and world music and technical skills such as ear training and piano as you grow as a composer and performer.
Students wanting to declare composition as their option must submit a music portfolio in addition to an audition on their major instrument.
Degree Requirements
All Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*Major GPA requirements as indicated.
Major Requirements
The Discovery Program capstone requirement is fulfilled by a final project or a public performance given during the senior year. For students in the composition option, there is a choice of completing a half lecture, half lecture-recital or a half recital including at least one original composition.
Candidates for a degree must satisfy all of the University Discovery Program requirements in addition to satisfying the requirements of each individual major program. Bachelor of arts candidates must also satisfy the foreign language proficiency requirement.
Major department courses may not be used to satisfy Discovery category requirements except in the case of a second major. B.A. in music majors may use MUSI 502 Musics in Context (a required core course for the major) to satisfy the Inquiry Discovery requirement.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Curriculum | ||
| MUSI 471 & MUSI 472 | Theory I and Theory I | 6 |
| MUSI 473 & MUSI 474 | Ear Training I and Ear Training I | 2 |
| MUSI 475 & MUSI 476 | Functional Piano I and Functional Piano I 1 | 2 |
| MUSI 571 & MUSI 572 | Theory II and Theory II | 6 |
| MUSI 573 & MUSI 574 | Ear Training II and Ear Training II | 2 |
| MUSI 575 & MUSI 576 | Functional Piano II and Functional Piano II 1 | 2 |
| MUSI 501 & MUSI 502 | The Western Musical Canon and Musics in Context | 6 |
| MUSI 515 | Music in World Cultures | 4 |
| MUSI 540 | Recital Attendance | 0 |
| MUSI 691 | Music Internship I | 1-2 |
| Advanced Music History: select one of the following | 3 | |
MUSI 701 | Topics in Music History | |
MUSI #713 | Art Song | |
MUSI 715 | Survey of Opera | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
MUSI 771 | Counterpoint | |
MUSI 781W | Analysis: Form and Structure | |
| MUSI 791 | Music Internship II | 2-4 |
| Performance Study (Applied Lessons): select from the following courses | ||
MUSI 541, MUSI 545, MUSI 546, MUSI 547, MUSI 548, MUSI 549, MUSI #550, MUSI 551, MUSI 552, MUSI 553, MUSI 554, MUSI 555, MUSI 556, MUSI 557, MUSI 558, MUSI 559, MUSI 560, MUSI 561, MUSI 562, MUSI 563, MUSI 564, MUSI 741, MUSI 745, MUSI 746, MUSI 747, MUSI 748, MUSI 749, MUSI 751, MUSI 752, MUSI 753, MUSI 754, MUSI 755, MUSI 756, MUSI 757, MUSI 758, MUSI 759, MUSI 760, MUSI 761, MUSI 762, MUSI 763, MUSI 764 | ||
| Performing Ensemble: select variable credits from the following courses 2 | ||
MUSI 441, MUSI 442, MUSI 448, MUSI 450, MUSI 452, MUSI 453, MUSI 454, MUSI 455, MUSI 456, MUSI 457, MUSI 459, MUSI 460, MUSI 462, MUSI 463, MUSI 464 | ||
| Total Credits | 39-42 | |
- 1
Students will be given the opportunity to test out of MUSI 471 Theory I, MUSI 475 Functional Piano I, MUSI 476 Functional Piano I and MUSI 575 Functional Piano II, MUSI 576 Functional Piano II.
- 2
A maximum of 8 ensemble credits may count toward graduation for all bachelor of arts in music students.
Music Composition Option Requirements
Degree program has final approval from the National Association of Schools of Music.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 6 credits of the following: | 6 | |
MUSI 771 | Counterpoint | |
MUSI 779 | Reading and Writing Musical Scores | |
MUSI 781W | Analysis: Form and Structure | |
| Select 8 credits of the following: | 8 | |
MUSI 775 | Composition | |
MUSI 776 | Composition | |
MUSI 777 | Advanced Composition | |
MUSI 731 | Conducting | |
| Performance Study (Applied Lessons): select from the following courses | 4 | |
MUSI 541, MUSI 545, MUSI 546, MUSI 547, MUSI 548, MUSI 549, MUSI #550, MUSI 551, MUSI 552, MUSI 553, MUSI 554, MUSI 555, MUSI 556, MUSI 557, MUSI 558, MUSI 559, MUSI 560, MUSI 561, MUSI 562, MUSI 563, MUSI 564, MUSI 741, MUSI 745, MUSI 746, MUSI 747, MUSI 748, MUSI 749, MUSI 751, MUSI 752, MUSI 753, MUSI 754, MUSI 755, MUSI 756, MUSI 757, MUSI 758, MUSI 759, MUSI 760, MUSI 761, MUSI 762, MUSI 763, MUSI 764 | ||
| Performing Ensemble: select from the following courses | 8 | |
MUSI 441, MUSI 442, MUSI 448, MUSI 450, MUSI 452, MUSI 453, MUSI 454, MUSI 455, MUSI 456, MUSI 457, MUSI 459, MUSI 460, MUSI 462, MUSI 463, MUSI 464 | ||
| Total Credits | 26 | |
Students in the composition option, if not in a lesson studio, will attend composition seminar.
- Demonstrate the ability to perform a specialization instrument or voice at an appropriate solo level and/or in small ensemble and large ensemble.
- Aurally identify, analyze, and work conceptually with the elements of music in a variety of musical styles.
- Students will demonstrate familiarity with musical literature from the formal concert repertory and from musical traditions outside of that repertory.
- Demonstrate the ability to develop and defend musical judgments in writing and in oral presentation.
- Demonstrate collegiate-level skills in the English language, competence in written and oral communication in English, and fluency in communicating and synthesizing musical, historical and analytical concepts in writing.
- Demonstrate the ability to create substantial original compositions for solo instrument(s), chamber ensemble, or large ensemble.
- Present at least one substantial original composition in performance of a lecture, lecture-recital, or recital.
Explore Program Details
Use these checklists to track your completion of major requirements. Always check with your advisor if you have any questions.
FOR MAJORS ENTERING FALL OF 2021 AND EARLIER
B.A., Music Major, Composition Option
FOR MAJORS ENTERING IN AY 2023
B.A., Music Major, Composition Option
